Appliances for artificial refrigerating plants.



s. THURSTENSEN, APPLIANCES FOR ARTIFICIAL RVEFRIGERATING PLANTS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.5| 1913.

Patented Aug. 10 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

s. THURSTENSEN. APPLIANCES FOR ARTIFICIAL REFRIGERATING PLANTS! APPLICATION'FILED Aue.5,'19|a.

Patented Aug. .10, 1915.

.5 SHEETS-SHEET 2- APPLICATION FILED AUG.5| I913- Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 I -s. THURSTENSEN.

I APPLIANCES FOR ARTIFICIAL REFRIGERATING PLANTS. APPLICATION FILED AUG.5, 1913.

1,149,871 Pate nte dAug. 10,1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4- III-LIMIT;

S. THURSTENSEN.

APPLIANCES FOR ARTIFICIAL'REFBIGERATING PLANTS; APPLICATION FILED mm. 1913.

1,149,871 Patented Aug. 10, .1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- UNITED TATE PATENT OFFICE.

SOREN THURSTENSEN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO HENRY VOGT MACHINE COMPANY, OFLOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, A CORPORATION OF KEN- TUCKY.

APPLIANCES FOR ARTIFICIAL REFRIGERATING PLANTS.

"HJls JLSTl.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented An". 10, 1915:.

Applioation filed August 5, 1913. Serial No. 783,073.

Be it known that I. Sonnx 'lnuas'rnxsnx, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville. in the county of Jefferson and [State of Kentucky, have invented-certain mcnt;- thereby decreasing the amount of space necessary to house thesame; to establish separated passages for the conduction of the different.mediums, whereby an exchange of temperature between the mediums is effected: to arrange said passageswhereby a relatively large amount of radiating surface is provided: and to provide simple and effective means for conducting the mediums from one of the elements to the other,

and to arrange means for sealing the various elements. so as to prevent a leakage during the transmission of the mediums there 7 through.

tures of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side=eleva.- tion of a series of elements constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. and arranged one above the other, the elements in this figure being arranged and constructed so as to provide the necessary apparatus for exchanging temperatures in small refrigerating plants; Fig. 2 an end view of the part shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 across section through a portion of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which device is for the purpose of exchanging temperatures between gas and rich liquor, and is termed a rectifier; on line *f"f of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 5 a side elevation, partly in section of a form of device used to exchange temperatures between rich Fig. at a. cross section liquor and weak liquor, and is termed an exchanger; 1 1g. (5 an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a side elevation,

partly in sectfon of a form of device for ex changing temperatures between weak liquor and water, and is termed a weak liquor cooler, Fig. 8 a side elevation, partly in section of a device for exchanging temperatures between weak liquor and water and for injecting gas into the weak liquor, and

.is termed an absorber; and Fig. 9 an end view, partly in section of the device shown in Fig. 9.

In ice plants and other refrigerating mechanisms, a freezing medium is used which is usually either aqua or anhydrous ammonia that has a relatively low boiling point. the gas from this ammonia is condensed and the liquefied ammonia is admitted into the freezingcoil or coils. This liquid evaporates in passing through the coils, and produces a refrigerating action, cooling the coils,.and causing them to act as a means for making ice or producing the. low temperature necessary for a cold storage room. It would be highly impracticable in these devices to use the freezing medium once, and then let it pass off in the shape of av waste product. and accordingly all plants are equipped with means for reconverting or restoring the freezing medium back to its original state. after it has passed through the freezing coils, so that it may be used over and over again, and the appliances of the present invention are intended to perform this reclaiming or regenerating action; the appliances are intended for use in absorption refrigeration process. It is necessary to exchange temperatures between the various mediums entering into the composition of the ammonia in. order to place the ammonia back into its original state, and the appliances of the present invention provide means for circulating the various mediums through separated passages so that the telnperatures from the various mediums will affect the walls of one class of passages, and thus an exchange of temperature between the circulated medium. in all the passages is brought about.

practicability, however, for small refrigerating plants, and is illustrated more for the purpose'of showing the adaptability of the apparatuses of the present invention to be arranged in vertical relation to one another, so as to occupy a relatively small space within the factory. The appliances are supported, as shown in this figure by suitable standards or uprights 1-0, which may' be of any suitable form or construction, and the regenerating or reclaiming apparatus com,- prises a series of elements which are designated by the general numeral 11. The details of mechanical construction of these elements are shown more clearly in Figs. 3 to 7 inclusive, and a discussion of these figures will be taken up before completing the discussion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates an apparatus which is used as a rectifier; that iswhich is used for the purpose of exchanging temperatures between the rich liquor and the gas, and as shown the device consists offour elements similar as respects mechanical construction, to the elements 11 illustrated in Fig. 1. Each of these elements, consists of an outer section in the form of a cylindrical shell 12, which'is closed at both ends by means of a cross wall 13, preferably welded to the body of the shell. Held by these cross walls and having their ends projecting through and beyond the cross walls are a series of pipes or conduits 14, which as shown are'7 in number. j

By'providing a plurality of conduits a relatively large amount of radiating surface is provided, so. that the medium flowing I through the outer section or shell is subsame time to jected to the action of the temperature radiating from the plurality of conduits, and thus an efficient exchanging of temperature between the medium flowing through the shell, and the medium flowing through the conduits is effected. Secured to the ends of the ,elements are what may be termed end pieces 15. These pieces are formed in pairs to provide an end piece for each of thetwo section as to provide a chamber 16 when they are placed in position. Suchof the end pieces as are formedin. pairs areconnected by a web 16 which is chamberedto provide a passage17, communicating with the chamber 16. When thus secured in position these cap pieces 15 serve to connect andspacethe adjacent elements apart, and serve at the sage between the conduits 14 of one element and the conduits 14 of the element adjacent thereto, by means of the chambers 16 and passage 17. This double form of end piece is employed in each instance exceptrat one end of each of the bottom and top elements. These single end pieces are indicated by the provide a communicating pas:

numeral 18. The end pieces 18 are provided with an interiorly threaded flange 19' adapted to receive the end of a pipe or conduit which supplies and discharges the medium which flows through the conduits 14.

Each of the cap pieces engages with an endv ments by means of suitable locking mem-.

bers 22, as for instance the nuts and bolts illustrated. The double cap pieces, as explained, are the means for establishing communication between the conduits 14 of the various elements, and means are shown for establishing communlcatlon between the shells 12 of the various elements, in the nature of short necks 23 welded to the shells, which'meet as shown in the drawings, and the abutting ends of the necks, as shown, are provided with a tongue and groove joint. These necks are held together by suitable locking means 24. I

Now referring to the construction shown in Fig.,l, the device therein illustrated consists of a series of elements 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 32 and 33, each of which is exactly similar in mechanical construction to the elements 11 previously described. These elements, as previously explained, are arranged in vertical alinement one above the other. Gas is admitted through agas inlet 34 into the chamber of the casing 12 of the element 25 and flows down through the connection 34 between the elements 25, and 26 and into a separator 35 in which the water -is separated. The rich liquor enters through bers of the element 25. Thus a circulation in counter directions of rich liquor and gas .is maintained through the elements 25 and 26, and an exchange of temperature between the two mediums, namely the gas and rich liquor is brought about. The rich liquor after passing; through the tubular conduits 14 of the element 25 flows through a pipe 37 down and into the conduits 14 of the element 30 and then the tubular conductors and the chambers of the cap pieces until it has passed through the elements 29, 28 and 27 and discharged through the rich liquor outlet 38. The weak liquor is admitted at the weak liquor inlet 39 and flows down and through the body portions 12 of the elements 31, 32 and 33. Communication between the various elements being brought about passes upward through igo by means of the neck connections 40, thus through the elements 27, 28, 29, and30 there will be flowing a volume of rich liquor,'a.id a volume of weak liquid flowing in an opposite direction, and an exchange of temperature will thus be brought about between these two mediums.

\Vater is admitted to the tubular, conduits 14 of the element 33 through a' water inlet pipe 41-, and the water passes upward and through the tubular conduits of the elements.

33, 32 32, and 31 and flows out through the water outlet pipe 42, thus through the elements 31, 32, 32 and 33 there is a body of water and weak liquor circulating in opposite directions so that an exchange of tem- .used as a rectifier, and which is for the purpose of exchanging temperatures as between the gas and rich liquor. The mechanical f features of construction of this application have'already been explained, and as stated comprises a'series of elements 11 of a certain mechanical structure. As shown there are four of these elements employed in con nection with the rectifier-and they are indicated by the numerals 43, 44, 45, and 46 which are connected together by cap pieces 15 of the type previously described. Each element comprises the shell like section 12 and the tubular members '14. Gas is admitted to the elements 43 through the gas inlet 47, passes downward through the shell like portion of the elements 43, 44, 45, and 46 and passes out through the gas outlet 48. The rich liquor is admitted at the rich liquor inlet 49, passes upward through thetubular member 14 of the elements 46, 45, 44, and 43, and out through the rich liquor outlet 50. Communication between the conduits 14 of one element and the conduits 14 of the adj acent element is provided through the me.-

dium of the cap piece 15, as has been ex- -plained, and as will be apparent from the drawings. Thus in this apparatus we have a volume of gas flowing in one direction and a volume of rich liquor in the opposite direction through the various elements of the device, the gas or rich liquor being separated from one another during such passage. Owing to the provision of a plurality of. conductors'14, a great amount of radiating sur;

face is exposed to the action of the medium flowing through the shell like portions 12 of the elements, and thus the various mediums are exposed to the action of one another to a degree to effectually accomplish. the work intended. The elements of Figs. 3 and 4 are 7 sustained insubstantial vertical alinement with one. another through the instrumentalities of suitable supports 51.

The appliance shown in Figs". 5 and 6 relate to what may be termed an exchanger and consists, as shown, of four elements in dicated by the numerals 52, 53, 54, and 55. Each of the elements is similar in construction as to mechanical features to the elements 11 previously described. eak liquor enters at the weak liquor inlet 55 passes down and through the interior of the shell like members12 of the elements 52 and 55 inclusive, passes out through the weak liquor outlet 56. The rich liquor is admitted throughthe rich liquor inlet 57, passes through the conduits 14 of the elements 52 and 55 inclusive and-out through the rich liquor outlet 58, the rich liquor passing upward through the various elements, thus passing them in opposite directions and effecting an exchange of temperature between these two mediums, The elements 'shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are supported in verticalaline'ment with respect to. one anotherby suitable supports 59.

The device or-appliance shown in Fig. 7 is a weak liquor cooler and consists of four elements 60, 61, 62, and 63, each similar in construction to the element 11 previously described. In this appliance weak liquor is admitted at the weak liquor inlet 64 passes downward through the interior of the shell 12 of the elements 60 to 63 inclusive, and passes out through the weak liquor outlet 65. lVater is admitted at the water inlet 66, flows through the conduits 14 of the eiements 60 to 63 inclusive and out through the water outlet 67. In this appliancethe weak liquor and water are passed through the various elements in opposite directions and an exchange of temperature is broughtabout between these two mediums. The various elements illustrated in this figure are supported in vertical arrangement through the medium of suitable supports 68. g

The device shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is termed an' absorber, and consists, as shown, of four elements, 69, 70, 7 1,-and 72, similar in construction to the elements 11 previously described, in this case, weak liquor is" admittedjat the weak liquor inlet 73, passes downward through the bodies 12 of the elements 69 to 7 2 inclusive through the pipe 73 connecting the various elements and out through the strong liquor outlet 74. In thus passing downward gas is admitted which is absorbed by the weak liquor during itstransit. The gas is admitted to a pipe 75,-whichpasses down and into a fitting 76 which is provided with a tube 77 having therein a series of perforations'o r openings 78. This tube 77 is located at the point of inlet of the weak liquor into the interior of the shell like sections 12, so that the weak liquor in passing into the sections 12 passes by the perforated portions of the tube 77, and the gas is injected andabsorbed by the weak liquor. WVater is admitted at the water inlet 7 9 and passes upward through-the conduits 14 of the elements 69 to'72 inclusive and out through the water outlet 80. Thus we have in this appliance weak liquor charged with gas flowing in one direction throughthe sections 12 of the various elements and water'flowing in an opposite direction through the con duits of thevarious elements thus effecting a change of temperature between these two mediums.

Itwill be noted that the mechanical fea'- all of them contain the feature of the tongue and groove connection between the cap piecesand the cross Wall; and between the I necks extendin from the various shell like of the nature so'that the various elements sections 12. T ils'the mechanical principles involved are maintained throughout all the necessary appliances used in reclaiming or reconverting the freezing medium back toits original state, and all of theappliances are can be arranged one above-the 'otherfinvertical alinement, thus conservin the necessary space used for the installation of such appliances.

I claim:

1. In an appliance of the classdescribed,

the combination of a series of shell-like bodies arranged one above the other, a tube extending longitudinally through each of saidbodies, means connecting the tube of one body with the tube of the next adjacent body means for admitting water to the tube of the lowermost body, means for admitting weakliquor to the interiorof the uppermost body, a hollow connection between each of the bodies extending from the upper portion' of one of said bodies to the lower portion of the body next beneath, and means for admitting gas to the lower portion of said connection, substantially as described.

' 2. In an" appli-ance of the class described, the combination of a' series of shell-like bodies arranged one above the other, a tube extending longitudinally through each of said bodies, means connecting one body with the tube of \the next adjacent body, means for admitting water to the tube of the lowermost body, means for admitting Weak liquor to the interior of the uppermost body, a hollow connectionbetween each of the bodies extending from the uppermost portion of one of said bodies to the lower portion of the body next; beneath a perforated pipe at the lower portion of said body connections,- and means for admitting gas to said pipe, substantially as described, 1 SOB-EN THURSTENSEN.

Witnesses:-

B. F. KUBAUGH, H. T.'FIscHER. 

